Tag Archives: ecall

BMW have launched its new performance touring bike, the K 1600 GT. It’s the first BMW model with an optional eCall service via the Vodafone SIM card on board. The BMW Motorrad ConnectedRide eCall/ ACN (Emergency Call/ Automatic Collision Notification) system uses networks throughout Europe – to get help to accident scenes as quickly as possible and improve road traffic safety. Over 2.5 million BMW cars are already digitally connected by Vodafone as standard.

“The first BMW motorcycle with the eCall system shows just how many possibilities there are for the Internet of Things. And this is just the beginning. It is estimated that by 2020 around 20 billion devices will be sharing data,” said Vodafone Internet of Things Director Ivo Rook.

BMW‘s new K 1600 GT has a Vodafone IoT SIM card under its seat. It ensures that if the bike is involved in an accident, the BMW Motorrad ConnectedRide system can immediately contact the BMW call centre. Developed by BMW Motorrad, the system has various sensors that monitor the bike’s speed and angle to identify when it is involved in an accident and trigger an emergency call. The rider can also use an SOS button on the handlebars to contact the BMW call centre. At the same time, other important information such as the bike’s location is transmitted. Depending on how severe the accident is, the BMW call centre alerts the emergency services or attempts to contact the driver via the bike’s built-in audio system. This system allows the rescue services to arrive at the accident site up to 50% faster.

Vodafone transmits the emergency calls Europe-wide via its international mobile communications network. When calls are made from abroad, the caller is always assigned to a BMW call centre agent who speaks his language.

BMW Motorrad has made a video demonstrating how the eCall/ACN system works. You can watch it here.

BMW provides its vehicles with numerous pioneering services via BMW ConnectedDrive. These use intelligent connectivity to enhance driving pleasure and increase safety, and are underpinned by a connection to a powerful mobile phone network linking with built-in SIM cards. Working with Deutsche Telekom, BMW has this month introduced solutions using the high-speed LTE standard, a Wi-Fi hotspot and the new eSIM.

Wi-Fi hotspot with LTE and eSIM.

BMW is using an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot to also enable super-fast internet surfing. This hotspot creates a password-protected, high-speed internet connection inside the vehicle for up to ten devices. As a result, passengers, too, can use internet services in comfort – without their device requiring its own SIM card. BMW ConnectedDrive users can order their data connection to the Wi-Fi hotspot directly via Deutsche Telekom’s HotSpot Drive portal. The high-speed LTE connection is established inside the vehicle using the new eSIM. Unlike a conventional SIM card, the eSIM can be re-configured, if required, without needing to be replaced. The Wi-Fi hotspot was integrated for the first time in the new BMW 7 Series in October 2015 and has been available for many other BMW models since July 2016.

eCall now also available for motorcycles.

BMW Motorrad is planning to offer its motorcycles with an LTE mobile phone module designed primarily to increase safety during a journey. Looking ahead, it will also be possible to make connected services available via a motorcycle or scooter’s central display under the BMW Motorrad ConnectedRide banner, to ensure data relevant to the riding experience is displayed in the most effective way possible for a motorcycle. The necessary connectivity technologies are being co-developed under the partnership with Deutsche Telekom. In the future, it is conceivable that navigation systems will allow safety information to be displayed, such as early warning alerts indicating the end of a traffic jam in a corner, for example.

BMW Motorrad will offer an eCall system (Intelligent Emergency Call) for the first time from 2017. As in BMW’s passenger cars, essential data for the rescue services can be sent to the BMW Call Centre to initiate the necessary response in the event of an accident. Added to which, a voice connection with the driver enables further important information to be passed on there and then.

SmartHome app connects BMW with the intelligent home.

The SmartHome app from Deutsche Telekom enables users to control functions in their home via their mobile phone. The app has been available since 2015 as part of BMW ConnectedDrive. Linking up with Deutsche Telekom, it allows users to adjust their house lights or heating, for example. Drivers can switch on the house lights while still on the move or adjust room temperatures to a certain level before they arrive home. The integration of third-party apps via BMW ConnectedDrive allows this house control facility to be integrated into the operating system of BMW vehicles. This not only means that the content stored on the user’s smartphone can be viewed on the Control Display, but also that all functions can be controlled intuitively, comfortably and safely using the iDrive Controller.

Source: BMW

Emergency call devices that automatically alert rescue services to car crashes (eCall) will have to be fitted to all new models of cars and light vans by 31 March 2018 under rules voted by European Parliament Plenary. Road accidents took 25,700 lives in the EU in 2014 – a death toll that the new devices could cut by an estimated 10% a year.

“Deploying the 112-based eCall in-vehicle emergency system across the EU will help to improve road safety in all 28 member states. The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed that reducing deaths and the severity of injuries on the roads is its priority. eCall as a public service, free of charge for all citizens, irrespective of the type of vehicle or its purchase price, will contribute to this common goal”, said rapporteur Olga Sehnalová.

The eCall in-vehicle system uses 112 emergency call technology to alert the emergency services to serious road accidents automatically. This enables them to decide immediately on the type and size of rescue operation needed, which in turn helps them to arrive faster, save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and cut the cost of traffic jams.

Data privacy: no vehicle tracking

MEPs strengthened the draft law’s data protection clause to preclude tracking of eCall-equipped vehicle before the accident occurs. Under the new rules, the automatic call would give the emergency services only basic minimum data, such as the type of vehicle, the fuel used, the time of the accident, the exact location and the number of passengers.

The rules say eCall data gathered by emergency centres or their service partners must not be transferred to third parties without explicit consent of the person concerned. Manufacturers will also have to ensure that the eCall technology design permits full and permanent deletion of data gathered.

Ready from spring 2018

All new models of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles will have to be equipped with the eCall system as of 31 March 2018. MEPs also secured an obligation for the European Commission to assess, in the three years after spring 2018, whether eCall devices should be included in other vehicles, such as buses, coaches or trucks.

These new rules set out obligations for car manufacturers. Separate rules, governing the infrastructure that EU member states must put in place by 1 October 2017 to process eCalls, entered into to force at the end of June 2014.

Next step

Parliament’s vote ends the EU legislative procedure. The regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Independent garages throughout the UK are being made aware of the potential impact of eCall on their business by the Independent Garage Association (IGA), which is lobbying to future proof the independent garage sector in light of new EU proposals.

The European Parliament has introduced mandatory adoption of eCall systems on all new approved models of cars and light vehicles which will come into force from October 2015. And while the Independent Garage Association welcomes the safety benefits this will bring, it is fighting to secure the same access to technical information for independent garages that will be provided to vehicle manufacturers.

eCall is an in-vehicle system which automatically dials the emergency services and sends them vehicle details and location information in the event of a serious accident. It operates through telematics hardware installed in the vehicle itself and utilises software apps and an active mobile contract to help the vehicle manufacturer gain privileged contact with a vehicle owner. While the introduction of eCall will ultimately shorten accident response times and save lives, it also allows the vehicle manufacturer to gain knowledge of any potential maintenance issue with a vehicle and provide a solution to the driver before they have to take their vehicle to a garage. This threatens to take independent garages completely out of the maintenance and repair loop, and limit choices available to a vehicle owner.

Stuart James, IGA Director who is providing a voice for the independent garage sector both in the UK and at a European level, explained the issue further. “eCall is a welcome system for improving road safety, but the potential impact it will have on independent garages by pushing them out of the servicing loop is huge. The EU has stated that the eCall in-vehicle system should be based on an interoperable, open-access, secured and standardised platform for possible future in-vehicle applications or services and it will be our job to ensure that this actually happens.”

“Without this, vehicle manufacturers will be the only people with access to this new in-vehicle telematics technology. This means they will be able to offer additional services to European customers that independent operators will potentially have the opportunity to provide. This would hamper free and fair competition in the aftermarket and impose a limited choice for consumers.”

Stuart James added: “We are working very hard to future proof the independent garage sector and make sure that the voices of independent garages are heard. We will not rest until independent garages have the same access to information, and the same support as the vehicle manufacturers’ franchised operations. It is only right that the consumer should be allowed the freedom of choice when it comes to where to take their vehicle for an MOT, service or repair, and not be forced into choosing one option over another.”

Every new car sold in Britain will have to have a ‘black box’ device fitted to track drivers’ movements from next year, under plans being imposed by the European Union.

Despite serious concerns about privacy and cost, UK ministers admit they are powerless to stop the Big Brother technology being forced on motorists and car makers.

The Government believes the gadget, designed to help emergency services find crashed vehicles, will add at least £100 to the cost of vehicles without providing significant safety improvements.Officials also fear the scheme, known as eCall, could be used by police or insurance companies to monitor motorists’ every move.

The European Commission has ruled that by October next year, all new cars and vans sold across Europe must be fitted with the technology, which contains a mobile phone-like SIM card designed to transmit the vehicle’s location to emergency services in the event of a crash.

But The Mail on Sunday has seen official correspondence from the Department of Transport showing the UK’s opposition to the policy, which could lead to the ‘constant tracking’ of vehicles.

In a letter to MPs, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill writes: ‘The basis for our opposition is that costs to the UK outweigh the benefits.

‘Unfortunately, there is very little support for the UK position and no possibility of blocking this legislation. We are working with other member states to minimise the potential burdens on manufacturers and the potential cost to consumers.

‘With regard to the rules on privacy and data protection, other member states have expressed similar concerns to us, about the potential for constant tracking of vehicles via the eCall system.’

Emma Carr, of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, said last night: ‘Motorists will not be comfortable forcibly having a black box installed which is capable of recording and transmitting their exact location when they are driving.’

Some car manufacturers, including BMW and Volvo, already include eCall devices in their latest models.

An SOS button near the dashboard, linked to a SIM card, allows drivers to call 999 quickly. And if airbags are deployed it automatically sends a text message to emergency services with the car’s location – as well as its unique vehicle ID number.

Voluntary take-up has been low across the industry so the EU ruled all new car models must include eCall from October 1, 2015. Motorists will be unable to switch it off and it will be tested in MoT checks.

The EU Parliament voted it through last month and a draft of the law is due to be published next week before it is agreed by the EU Commission.

The UK also hopes the new text will include assurances on the privacy risks of eCall, which were highlighted in a European Parliament legal report earlier this year.

The study said manufacturers will want to include ‘value added services’ for the SOS devices, such as sharing the data with insurers and recovery firms.

A separate study by the EU Data Protection Supervisor warns of the ‘potential intrusiveness’ of eCall given that it operates on the same basis as mobile phones and ‘potentially enables the constant collection of the vehicle’s geolocation’. It urges ‘stricter safeguards’ against ‘unlawful’ use of personal data.

Brussels insists eCall will save 2,500 lives a year by speeding up emergency services response times.

Acquisition of the ATOP Business from Leading Global Semiconductor Company Concludes with the Creation of Telit Automotive Solutions

Telit Wireless Solutions, a leading global vendor of high-quality machine-to-machine (M2M) modules, value-added services and solutions, today announced it has concluded the acquisition of the Automotive Telematics On-board unit Platform (ATOP) business from Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors (Nasdaq NXPI). ATOP is an automotive grade solution for vehicle manufacturers to implement eCall or similar functionality from a single compact and cost efficient package, delivering reduction in complexity and minimized costs in vehicle designs, customer data as well as regulatory compliance. The company at the same time launched Telit Automotive Solutions, a new business unit which is to focus exclusively on the Automotive OEM and Tier-one markets. The new organization will be headed up by industry veteran and long-time Telit executive, Dominikus Hierl as its CEO.

With the acquisition concluded, the company will integrate the ATOP business including sales, engineering and support staff into Telit Automotive Solutions, expanding its market reach with solutions leveraging the expanded engineering and sales expertise particularly in software-centric RFIs from Automotive and Telematics OEMs. The company achieved automotive-critical global ISO/TS16949 certification in July 2012 and maintains one of the industry’s largest product portfolios for the automotive sector with particular emphasis on advanced technologies such as LTE and HSPA+. Telit has appointed Lars Reger, Head of Chip Development and General Manager for New Business in NXP’s automotive business division as a non-executive director of Telit on closing.

Industry analysts position automotive as the strongest growing segment for M2M over the next few years. According to ABI Research’s report on the global m2m module market published in May 2013, module shipments to automotive OEMs will grow from 6 million units in 2013 to 30 million in 2018. Regulatory initiatives like eCall in Europe, ERA GLONASS in Russia, DENATRAN 245 in Brazil lend further credibility to the strength of the sector along with the much publicized “connected car” trend which is likely to lead to 100% penetration of the technology in the very near future.

“This acquisition will take the ATOP technology to the next level, by embedding it in a sustainable ecosystem for innovative and high-quality automotive solutions. We’re confident that our expertise will continue to grow under Telit’s leadership in combination with continued cooperation from NXP”, said Lars Reger. “NXP will stay highly involved in the future of ATOP by becoming a shareholder in Telit and joining the company’s board.”

“The acquisition of ATOP is the catalyst for building a dedicated Automotive business unit to better address Automotive opportunities and execute our strategy to become the market leader in this segment,“ said Telit CEO Oozi Cats. “The ATOP team is talented and enthusiastic to join Telit. Their expertise will be leveraged by positioning their top managers in significant roles within the new Telit Automotive organization.”

“Together with a significant customer base, ATOP brings additional expertise in automotive platforms to compliment our already thriving automotive business“, said Dominikus Hierl, CEO of the new Telit Automotive Solutions. “The multi-service capable platform provides support for a range of features from its single package, including vehicle location & tracking, remote starting and diagnostics as well as business applications like fleet management.“

With over 12 years of unparalleled focus on M2M, reducing technical risk and shortening time to market for OEMs and integrators, Telit’s ONE STOP. ONE SHOP delivers all necessary services and products to connect assets to the Internet of Things. Whether sourcing single products or full end-to-end solutions, count on M2M’s broadest portfolio in cellular, short range and positioning technologies paired with m2mAIR services covering application enablement as well as deployment management & connectivity under mobile networks and over the internet & cloud. Telit benchmark-quality products and services are delivered with global support and logistics exceeding exacting requirements from customers large and small. Telit’s ONE STOP. ONE SHOP. delivers the Internet of Things made Plug & Play. Now innovate!

Vodafone has announced that it will supply an embedded SIM for new Volkswagen and Audi models in Europe, as the automotive sector becomes increasingly important for operators’ M2M ambitions.

The agreement does not start immediately – Vodafone will supply M2M connectivity for new Audi models from 2015

Currently Audi offers a package of services which includes “in-car navigation, communications and infotainment services together with a WLAN hotspot”.

In 2013, the Audi S3 was the company’s first model to integrate a 4G-capable infotainment system, enabling Vodafone subscribers to access its 4G network. The car will be on display at this year’s Vodafone CeBIT stand.

Erik Brenneis, head of Vodafone’s M2M, said: “As a result of this agreement, we will strengthen further our position in the automotive sector – one of the key markets for M2M communication. Our efficient mobile communications networks ensure that the networked car is becoming more and more widespread, including across European national borders”.

One of the factors suggested by Vodafone that might drive user adoption is the planned EU-wide emergency call system – known as eCall – which automatically sends out a SOS in the event of a vehicle accident.

This is not the first time Vodafone has worked with Volkswagen either. In 2012, the mobile operator announced it had been chosen by the car maker to supply mobile services to its workforce of more than 90,000 employees.

In addition to supplying voice and data services to Volkswagen workers, Vodafone also agreed to offer data transfer for business process management in areas such as logistics and production. That agreement is for internal functions as opposed to the latest M2M deal which is focused on customers.

eCall devices that automatically alert rescue services to car crashes should be fitted to all new car models by October 2015, said the Internal Market Committee amending a draft law to this end on Tuesday February 11, 2014. This system, using the 112 emergency call number, would enable the emergency services to reach the crash scene faster, saving lives and reducing injuries, MEPs note.

The in-vehicle eCall system uses 112 emergency call technology to alert the emergency services to serious road accidents automatically. This enables them to decide immediately on the type and size of rescue operation needed, which in turn helps them to arrive faster, save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and cut the cost of traffic jams.
Ready from October 2015?

The October 2015 deadline for installing eCall devices in new model cars and light vans was set by the European Commission, acting on Parliament’s request in a resolution voted in July 2012. However, to meet the industry’s request for more time to develop and test the system, MEPs left open a possibility to postpone this deadline.

The Commission will also have to assess whether to extend eCall to other vehicles, such as buses, coaches or trucks, says the committee text.

Free of charge

MEPs note that the eCall in-vehicle system is a public service and should therefore be accessible free of charge to all car users. The committee also inserted a provision that would allow users to use a different emergency call system, provided that it is installed in a car and is compatible with eCall.

Data protection

MEPs voted to strengthen a data protection clause in the draft law. They amended it to ensure that eCall-equipped vehicles are not subject to constant tracking. When an accident triggers an eCall, the data automatically sent to emergency centres should be restricted to the type of activation, the class of vehicle, the type of fuel used, the time of the accident, the exact location of the vehicle, the direction of travel and the number of seatbelts fastened, MEPs add.

Next steps

The legislative resolution was approved by 34 votes to 2 , with 1 abstention. and is scheduled for a plenary vote in Strasbourg in the last week of February 2014.

Telit Wireless Solutions, a global provider of high-quality machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, products and services, today announced two modules are to be added to its lineup of automotive grade products. Both products are part of the company’s popular xE910 product family. The GE910-QUAD AUTO becomes the company’s top recommended quad-band GSM/GPRS Class-10 product for Automotive and Telematics integrators and OEMs starting or upgrading designs going forward. The UE910-EU V2 AUTO is a new and hardened variant of the dual-band UE910 V2 series designed for use in the most demanding automotive applications, delivering a downlink speed of up to 3.6 Mbps and uplink of up to 384 Kbps. Both products are based on market’s latest release chipsets and slated for long-term availability protecting OEM’s and Integrator’s design investments. The company is introducing these products from its booth A15-A16 at Telematics Munich 2013, Europe’s largest business conference and exhibition for the connected car industry.

The products include a 3GPP TS26.267 compliant in-band modem according to the eCall EU directive, leveraging Telit’s expertise in audio processing and tuning, accessible via a wide set of dedicated AT commands. The modules are developed and manufactured under ISO TS16949 quality specifications meeting or exceeding supply chain requirements from OEM automotive. The GE910-QUAD AUTO and UE910-EU V2 AUTO are ideal platforms for all embedded mobile data applications in the line-fitted automotive, telematics, fleet and logistics management segments.

Targeted at applications requiring or benefitting from global coverage, the 850/900/1800/1900MHz quad-band GSM/GPRS engine in the GE910-QUAD AUTO is voice-capable supporting both analog and digital interfaces. Powered by an ARM11 processor core, designs integrating the GE910-QUAD AUTO can eliminate the need for an application processor, running the automotive or telematics application directly over the embedded Python Script Interpreter. The module delivers GPRS class 10, 3GPP Release 4 compliant data communications and is equipped with a full-speed USB 2.0 interface and ten 1.8V I/O ports. The product is also offered with an optional factory-mounted SIM chip from m2mAIR which provides additional remote diagnostics and control functionalities for the deployed application while eliminating the need for an external SIM card holder, generating additional BOM cost savings and improving overall ruggedness. For information on Telit’s services business unit, m2mAIR and the SIM chip, visit www.m2mair.com

The UE910-EU V2 AUTO is designed specifically for European automotive and telematics applications leveraging dual-band UMTS/HSDPA 900/2100MHz and 900/1800MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE. It is voice-capable, also supporting both analog and digital interfaces. The module is equipped with a high-speed USB 2.0 interface, UART port, ten 1.8V I/O ports and an ADC converter. Upcoming support for Java J2ME makes the UE910-EU V2 AUTO ideal for projects requiring an embedded application framework.

“With introduction of the GE910-QUAD AUTO and UE910-EU V2 AUTO, Telit is again making a clear statement of commitment to the automotive market,” said Felix Marchal, Chief Product Officer at Telit Wireless Solutions. “This rollout brings our automotive portfolio to top standing in the industry with five models ranging from 2G to 4G in various sizes and mounting technologies.”

The xE910 form factor family protects investments by offering complete pin-to-pin compatibility among companion products in GSM/GPRS, UMTS/HSPA, HSPA+, CDMA 1xRTT, EV-DO and LTE, with and without embedded GNSS capabilities. For more information about the xE910 family of modules and other Telit products, visit www.telit.com.

With over a decade of exclusive focus on M2M, reducing technical risk and shortening time to market for OEMs and integrators, Telit is the industry’s ONE STOP. ONE SHOP. We leverage M2M’s broadest portfolio in cellular, short range and positioning technologies paired with m2mAIR services covering application enablement as well as mobile network and internet/cloud sides of connectivity. Telit products and services are delivered with global support and logistics exceeding exacting requirements from customers large and small. Now innovate!

A group of European automotive industry associations has released a joint position paper calling for open fair competition in the provision of in-car telematics units and services used for eCall. The lobbying group includes FIA, CLEPA and Insurance Europe.

The joint position paper says: “the undersigned associations welcome the European Commission’s eCall initiative and fully support the Europe-wide mandatory introduction of eCall by 2015 in all new type-approved cars and light commercial vehicles. This represents an important initiative to reduce fatalities and the severity of injuries on Europe’s roads.

The associations represent a wide range of stakeholders that are directly affected by the proposed legislation on eCall, such as motoring consumers, insurers and leasing companies and the entire aftermarket sector representing parts suppliers, parts wholesalers, and test equipment manufacturers as well as repairers.

The mandatory in-vehicle implementation of the eCall technology will bring about significant benefits for consumers in terms of safety and complementary convenience services. Importantly, the in-vehicle telematics system that supports the eCall function can also be used for supplementary services in the automotive aftermarket, such as breakdown assistance, remote diagnostics and monitoring of the data needed to provide predictive maintenance.

It must be ensured that this new technology respects the principles of fair competition and open choice for consumers and vehicle operators. Only by providing equal access to the same functionalities and to the same information in the same timescale, can one ensure that the benefits of this remote access are available to motoring consumers and independent operators. It must also be ensured that alternative, competitive
service options can be offered, enabling vehicle owners to connect their in-vehicle system to the service providers of their choice.

Third Party Services supported eCall (TPS eCall) should be considered as an additional optional service.

Consequently, the eCall functionality and the underlying in-vehicle system must be based on a standardised, interoperable, secure and open-access platform for possible future in-vehicle applications or services.

This principle has already been recognised by the European Parliament in its Own Initiative Report, which was adopted in July 2012. The right of non-discriminatory access to the eCall system for independent operators has also been included by the European Commission in its proposal from June 2013.

The undersigned associations call upon European and national legislators to provide EU Regulation that maintains equal opportunities and a level playing field by mandating an interoperable, secure, standardised and open-access platform for eCall and by proposing concrete provisions on how to implement this. This would ensure the right of equal access to equal information and the freedom of choice of competitive consumer products and services.”